Growing Cowpeas in Tana River
Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile
Tana River County is well suited to Cowpeas, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Cowpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.04 g/kg), phosphorus (8.5 mg/kg) and potassium (108 mg/kg) all meet Cowpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Cowpeas, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 65/kg) and a typical 350 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cowpeas crop here can gross roughly KES 22,750 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Tana River soil | Cowpeas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | 5–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 108 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
Top dressing guide
Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Cowpeas fix atmospheric Nitrogen. No top dressing needed.
Bags per Acre
0
Recommended seed varieties
KVU 27-1Dryland
KALRO · 60-70 days · 4-6 bags/acre
Dual purpose (grain and fodder); drought tolerant.
M66Dryland/Medium
KALRO · 55-65 days · 5-8 bags/acre
Early maturing; resistant to aphids and pod borers.
Economics
Market priceKES 65/kg
Expected yield350 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 22,750/acre
Preferred textureSandy
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag